Retail groups and opposition politicians in Ireland have said that not enough is being done to clamp down on criminal gangs responsible for smuggling up to one billion cigarettes into Ireland every year, according to a story in the Irish Independent.

Figures released by the Department of Finance last week showed that 40.8 million cigarettes were confiscated last year, fewer than half of those seized during 2012 and 80 per cent down on the 2010 figure.

Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS), which represents tobacco-sellers in Ireland, said smugglers were continually developing new ways to transport cigarettes into the country.

Meanwhile, retailer groups in Ireland are said to be concerned that government plans to introduce standardized packaging for licit cigarettes will increase smuggling.